Sampler

ABSTRACT

An automatic sampling apparatus for location in a hopper, conduit or pipe through which a particulate material flows includes a sample and apparatus support tube which extends either into a hopper, conduit or pipe through one side opening only or through aligned openings in opposite sides of the hopper, conduit or pipe, with the tube receiving support from the hopper, conduit or pipe at the openings therein. The sample and support tube on the plunger end projects a substantial distance from the hopper, conduit or pipe so as to provide space for a sample discharge opening in the projecting end emptying into a sample discharge chute. The opposing end of the sample tube which projects into or, if desired, completely through the hopper, conduit or pipe is provided with a depending clean-out chute. When the clean-out chute is disposed within a hopper, conduit or pipe filled with particulate material it serves to prevent packing of the particulate material by the clean-out stroke of the piston. When the sample and support tube projects through opposite sides of a hopper, conduit or tube the clean-out chute and the sample discharge chute by engaging the outside of the hopper, conduit or pipe on opposite sides adjacent each of the aligned openings therein prevent axial shifting of the sample tube and apparatus. The reciprocating plunger or piston which is provided can be actuated by an air cylinder mounted on the projecting end of the sample tube which carries the sample discharge chute. The portion of the sample tube within the hopper, conduit or pipe has one or more sample inlet openings in the upstream side with respect to flowing material to be sampled. In operation the air cylinder is preferably timer-actuated and in its outward stroke the piston expels through the clean-out chute material that has collected in the sample tube and on the return stroke withdraws and discharges through the sample discharge opening a sample that has collected through the sample inlet opening or openings.

United States Patent [191 Maas SAMPLER [75] Inventor: Melvin L. Maas, Quincy. Ill.

[73] Assignee: Moorman Manufacturing Company,

Quincy, Ill.

22 Filed: Nov. 24, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 309,351

[52] US. Cl. 73/422 R, 73/423 R Primary Examiner-S. Clement Swisher Attorney-Fred S. Lockwood et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An automatic sampling apparatus for location in a hopper, conduit or pipe through which a particulate material flows includes a sample and apparatus support tube which extends either into a hopper, conduit or pipe through one side opening only or through aligned openings in opposite sides of the hopper, conduit or pipe, with the tube receiving support from the hopper, conduit or pipe at the openings therein. The

[ Jan. 1,1197% sample and support tube on the plunger end projects a substantial distance from the hopper, conduit or pipe so as to provide space for a sample discharge opening in the projecting end emptying into a sample discharge chute. The opposing end of the sample tube which projects into or, if desired, completely through the hopper, conduit or pipe is provided with a depending clean-out chute. When the clean-out chute is disposed within a hopper, conduit or pipe filled with particulate material it serves to prevent packing of the particulate material by the clean-out stroke of the piston. When the sample and support tube projects through opposite sides of a hopper, conduit or tube the clean-out chute and the sample discharge chute by engaging the outside of the hopper, conduit or pipe on opposite sides adjacent each of the aligned openings therein prevent axial shifting of the sample tube and apparatus. The reciprocating plunger or piston which is provided can be actuated by an air cylinder mounted on the projecting end of the sample tube which carries the sample discharge chute. The portion of the sample tube within the hopper, conduit or pipe has one or more sample inlet openings in the upstream side with respect to flowing material to be sampled. in operation the air cylinder is preferably timer-actuated and in its outward stroke the piston expels through the clean-out chute material that has collected in the sample tube and on the return stroke withdraws and discharges through the sample discharge opening a sample that has collected through the sample inlet opening or openings.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JAN 1 1974 SHEET 1 [IF 2 SHEET 2 0F 2 PATENTEDJAH 1 I974 2 wil D o 0 a 0o o 00 00 00 0 lllll SAMPLER The invention relates generally to innovations and improvements in automatic sampling apparatus of the type to be located in a hopper, conduit or pipe having particulate material flowing 'therethrough.

In numerous operations there is a need to automatically sample material of a particulate nature flowing through a hopper, conduit or pipe and various automatic samplers have heretofore been provided for this purpose. while automatic sampling apparatus of various types have been provided, they have been subject to one or more deficiencies or objections such as being expensive, difficult to install, requiring excessive maintenance, having a motor driven auger running in a trough, including a hollowing sample collecting plunger of small capacity, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, an automatic sampler apparatus is provided for use in hoppers, conduits and pipes which is of simple design, rugged construction, free of special non-commercial mechanisms or parts, inexpensive to manufacture, readily installed, and reliable in operation over long periods with little or no maintenance.

The object of the present invention, generally stated, is'the provision of an automatic sampler apparatus of the foregoing type possessing the enumerated advantages and characteristics.

An important object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sampler of the foregiong type having a depending downwardly opening clean-out chute on the clean-out end of the sample tube which serves to prevent packing of the flowing particulate material in the sample tube on the clean-out stroke of the piston thereby interferring with the proper operation of the sampler.

A further and more speciflc object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sampler of the foregoing type wherein a sample tube extends in bearing engagement through aligned openings in a hopper, conduit or pipe so that at the openings support is provided for the sample tube and the remainder of the apparatus.

still another specific object of the invention is the provision of an automatic sampler of the type described wherein a sample tube extends through aligned openings in a hopper, conduit or pipe and at one projecting sampler end is provided with a sample discharge chute and at the opposite projecting end is provided with a clean-out chute with each chute engaging or juxtaposed to the outside of the hopper, conduit or pipe at the adjacent opening so as to prevent substantial or appreciable axial shifting of the sample tube and automatic sampler.

Certain other objects of the invention will be obvious and will appear hereinafter. For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of the invention reference may now be had to the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the accompanyingldrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a section of a conduit or pipe having an auotmatic sampler forming one embodiment of the present invention installed in one manner therein;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2; 1

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing an automatic sampler installed in a hopper in accordance with the invention, the piston being on its sample-taking stroke;

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 4 but shows the piston on its clean-out stroke; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings, a section of a conduit or pipe is indicated at 5 which may be representative of any pipe or conduit through which a particulate material is arranged to flow. For example, it could be a pipe or conduit through which flows a particulate material such as feed, feed ingredients, grains, fertilizer and fertilizer ingredients, resinous materia, cement, starch, catalyst, etc. The pipe or conduit 5 material, be used to connect one piece of apparatus to another, a storage bin to a hopper, a storage bin to an apparatus of some type, a product line into the hopper of an automatic weighing scale, etc. Insofar as the present invention goes, the automatic sampler apparatus may be used generally to sample any fluent or particulate material flowing through the conduit or pipe 5.

The automatic sampler is indicated generally at 6 with the main components thereof being a combined sample and support tube 7, a clean-out chute 8, a sample discharge chute 10, a double acting air cylinder 11 and a piston or plunger 12 (FIG. 3). The samplesupport tube 7 may be a pipe having the desired diameter, e.g. one to two inches although the diameter can be of any desired size and the pipe can be formed of any suitable material including various metals and alloys, plastics and ceramics.

The sample-support tube 7 is mounted in the conduit or pipe 5 extending through aligned openings therein which may or may not be on a diameter. At the left hand end as viewed in FIG. 3, the tube 7 projects a short distance beyond the conduit 5 so as to receive thereover the opening on one side of a clean-out chute 8. One convenient way to attach the clean-out chute 8 to the short projecting end 9 of the sample tube 7 is to provide registering holes in the top of the projection 9 and top of the chute 8 through which a pin 13 may be readily inserted and withdrawn as desired. Preferably, the inner face or inner side of the chute 8 engages or is juxtaposed to the exterior of ,the conduit or pipe 5 to prevent the tube 7 and apparatus 6 from shifting axially to the right. I

The sample-support tube 7 projects for a substantial distance on the end opposite the projection 9 so as to provide space for both the attachment of the discharge chute l0 and for attachment coaxially on the end thereof of the double acting air cylinder 11.

The sample and support tube 7 within the conduit or pipe 5 is provided in its upper or upstream side with an elongated axially aligned slot opening 14 which serves as a sample inlet opening for particulate material flowing downwardly through the conduit or pipe 5. In its longer projecting end 19 at the right as viewed in FIG. 3, the sample-support tube 7 is provided with another elongated axially aligned slot opening 15 which serves as a sample discharge opening emptying into the sample chute 10. The sample chute 10 may be welded, soldered, or otherwise attached to the underside of the projecting end 19 of the sample-support tube 7 in registration with the opening 15. The inner (i.e. left) side of the sample chute 10 should engage or be juxtaposed to the exterior of the conduit or pipe 5 thereby preventing the tube 7 from shifting to the left and having coaction with the clean-out chute 8 so as to prevent appreciable or substantial axial shifting of the tube 7 and apparatus 6 with respect to the conduit or pipe 5. However, by withdrawing the pin 13 and removing the clean-out chute 8 it will be seen that the sample-support tube 7 may be removed from the pipe or conduit 5 by withdrawing it axially to the right.

The double acting air cylinder 11 may be of known commercial type and provided with an interiorly threaded adapter 16 on one end for screwing onto the exteriorly threaded end of the sample tube 7.

The plunger or piston 12 is carried on the outer end of the piston rod 17 of the air cylinder 11 and desirably may be formed of low friction, long wearing material such as polyethylene, Teflon or other desired material. The plunger or piston 12 can have an easy sliding fit within the interior of the sample-support tube 7 the interior surface of which does not need to have a high degree of finish since the plunger or piston 12 merely acts to push particulate material axially within the samplesupport tube 7 as it reciprocates therein.

The controls for the air cylinder 11 may be of any known commercial type and may be either manually controlled so that the piston 12 reciprocates under manual control or may be automatically controlled or timer operated in known manner so as to operate at desired intervals on an automatic or programmed basis. The manual or automatic controls (not shown) for the piston 12 and air cylinder 11 form no part of the present invention and will not be described in detail. If desired, the piston rod 17 could even be manually operated without the use of the double acting air cylinder. However, in most instances it will be highly desirable to provide for automatic timer controlled operation of the air cylinder 11.

In operation, it will be apparent that particulate material flowing downwardly through the pipe or conduit 5 will enter the sample-support tube 7 through the sample inlet opening 14 and collect therein. Assuming that the piston 12 is in its retracted position as shown in full line in FIG. 3, on actuation of the air cylinder 11 the piston 12 in its outward stroke moves toward the left as viewed in FIG. 3 pushing before it any material that has collected within the sample-support tube 7 and expelling it through the open left hand end of the samplesupport tube 7 which serves as a clean-out opening discharging into the cleanout chute 8. It will be seen that as the piston 12 passes through the sample-support tube 7 and moves to the far (left) end of the sample inlet opening 14 additional particulate material will collect through the inlet opening into the samplesupport tube 7. On each return stroke of the piston 12 it pulls a sample of particulate material which has collected behind it and discharges it through the sample discharge opening 15 into the sample chute 10. If desired, a sample collecting container 18 (FIG. 1) may be mounted on the side of the conduit 5 so as to catch samples as they are discharged.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description the automatic sampler 6 is of simple, rugged, inexpensive, trouble-free construction, readily installed and removed and meets or fulfills all of the advantages and characteristics which have been pointed out above.

It will be apparent that a number of changes may be made in the automatic sampler apparatus of FIGS. 1-3

without departing from the invention. For example, if the pipe or conduit 5 happens to be discharging into a bin or container a short distance below the automatic sampler, the discharge chute 8 may be omitted and the expelled material may be simply allowed to fall on the outside of the conduit 5 into the container or hopper. Alternatively, the lower end of the clean-out chute 8 which is shown arranged to empty back into the conduit or pipe 5 through the downwardly inclined side connection 20 may be cut off or omitted. On the other hand, the material expelled through the end 9 of the sample-support tube 7 that is provided with the cleanout chute 8 may be collected as an additional or separate sample. Thus, if for some reason a larger sample is required than what will be collected through the sample discharge opening 15 on each return stroke of the piston 12, the material discharged through the cleanout chute 8 may be collected as additional sample. In another change, the piston 12 may be allowed to remain in its outermost position as shown in broken line in FIG. 3 for an appreciable time before it is returned thereby providing for discharge of a sample first through one end and thenlater through the other. The air cylinder 11 may be replaced with a hydraulic cylinder or with solenoid.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown therein an automatic sampler indicated generally at 25 installed in a hopper 16 having tapered sides. In this installation, the sample-support tube 27 of the sampler apparatus projects through a single opening in one side of the hopper 26 and is secured in position and supported by a gusset plate 28.

A clean-out chute 30 is mounted on the clean-out discharge end of the sample-support tube 27 and discharges downwardly into the hopper 26. The portion of the sample-support tube 27 within the hopper 26 is provided with three elongated sample entry or inlet openings 3l3l. It has been found that having multiple sample inlet openings is particularly advantageous when the automatic sampler 25 is installed in a hopper or conduit wherein there is a heavy burden of particulate material in the hopper or conduit above the sample-support tube.

It will be appreciated that the construction of the automatic sampler 25 corresponds generally to that of the automatic sampler 6 of FIGS. 1-3. Thus, piston 32 corresponds to piston 12, piston rod 33 corresponds to piston rod 17, the sample discharge slot or opening 34 corresponds to the slot or opening 15, and sample discharge chute 35 corresponds to sample discharge chute 10. The apparatus 25 will also be provided with a double acting air cylinder (not shown) corresponding to air cylinder 11 of FIG. 1.

The clean-out chute 30 performs an important function in the hooper 26 when the latter is substantially filled with particulate material, particularly one that is relatively heavy and has a tendency to pack or cake. It will be seen that since the clean-out chute 30 discharges downwardly, it maintains itself in an unclogged and open condition. Accordingly, during the clean-out stroke of the piston 32 (toward the left as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5) the particulate material that has gathered into the sample-support tube 27 through the openings 31 is readily discharged. If the clean-out chute 30 were not provided, there could be a tendency for the material to pack at the discharge end or clean-out end of the sample-support tube 27 thereby interferring with the proper operation of the automatic sampler 25. Such packing could place an undue load on the air cylinder or prevent the plunger 32 from completely cleaning out the material that has gathered in the tube 27. If the packed material cannot be cleaned out by the apparatus itself, it could even stall its operation.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A sampler for use in withdrawing samples of particulate material flowing downwardly in a hopper, conduit or pipe, comprising: a sample-support tube adapted to be mounted in a generally horizontal position with a portion thereof disposed within a hopper conduit or pipe and another portion thereof projecting outwardly of the hopper, conduit or pipe, a piston axially reciprocable in said sample-support tube, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending outwardly of said projecting portion of said sample-support tube, actuating means mounted on said projecting portion of said sample-support tube operatively connected with said piston rod for reciprocating the same, a sample discharge chute mounted on said projecting portion of said sample tube underneath a sample discharge opening therein, and a downwardly extending and discharg' ing clean-out chute mounted on the end of said samplesupport tube opposite said projecting portion, said portion of said sample-support tube within a hopper, conduit or pipe having at least one sample entry opening in the upper side thereof.

2. In ,combination with a hopper, conduit or pipe adapted to have particulate material flow therethrough, sampling apparatus, comprising: a sample-support tube extending generally horizontally through aligned openings in said hopper, conduit or pipe with at least one end projecting a substantial distance on the outside thereof, said sample-support tube having at least one sample entry opening in its upstream side through which to receive and collect samples of materials flowing through said hopper, conduit or pipe, having a sample discharge opening in the downstream side of said one projecting end for sample discharge and having a clean-out opening disposed axially from that end of said sample inlet opening that is opposite said sample discharge opening; a piston axially reciprocable in said samplesupport tube between the outer extremity of said sampledischarge opening and said clean-out opening; and, actuating means for reciprocating said piston so that during its stroke in one direction it expels through said clean-out opening material that has accummulated within said sample-support tube and during its stroke in the opposite direction withdraws a sample of material collected through said sample inlet opening and expels the sample through said sample dis- 6 charge opening; said sample-support tube providing the mounting support for said apparatus.

3. In the combination called for in claim 2, a sample discharge chute fixed to said one projecting end of said sample-support tube so as to communicate with said sample discharge opening and a clean-out chute attached to said sample-support tube on the outside of said conduit so as to communicate with said clean-out opening.

4. In the combination as called for in claim 3 said sample discharge chute and said clean-out chute each engaging or being juxtaposed to the exterior of said hopper, conduit or pipe adjacent one of said aligned openings thereby preventing substantial axial shifting of said sample-support tube.

5. In the combination called for in claim 2 said sample inlet opening and said sample discharge opening being elongated slits in said sample tube and axially aligned therewith and said clean-out opening being one end of said sample-support tube.

6. In combination with a hopper, conduit or pipe adapted to have particulate material flow therethrough, sampling apparatus, comprising: a sample-support tube extending generally horizontally through an opening in the side of said hopper, conduit or pipe so as to have an internally projecting portion and an externally pro jecting portion, at least one sample entry opening in the top of said internally projecting portion, a sample discharge opening in the underside of said externally projecting portion, and a clean-out opening at the inner end of said internally projecting portion; a piston axially reciprocable in said sample-support tube between the outer extremity of said sample discharge opening and said clean-out opening; a sample discharge chute mounted on and underneath said sample-support tube in registry with said sample discharge opening; a downwardly extending and opening clean-out chute mounted on said sample-support tube at said clean-out opening; and, actuating means for reciprocating said piston so that during its stroke in one direction it expels through said clean-out opening material that has accummulated within said sample-support tube and during its stroke in the opposite direction withdraws a sample of material collected through said sample inlet opening and expels the sample through said sample discharge opening.

7. In the combination called for in claim 4 said cleanout chute having on its lower end a side connection which'projects through an opening in said hopper, conduit or pipe so as to return cleanout material into said hopper, conduit or pipe. 

1. A sampler for use in withdrawing samples of particulate material flowing downwardly in a hopper, conduit or pipe, comprising: a sample-support tube adapted to be mounted in a generally horizontal position with a portion thereof disposed within a hopper, conduit or pipe and another portion thereof projecting outwardly of the hopper, conduit or pipe, a piston axially reciprocable in said sample-support tube, a piston rod connected to said piston and extending outwardly of said projecting portion of said sample-support tube, actuating means mounted on said projecting portion of said sample-support tube operatively connected with said piston rod for reciprocating the same, a sample discharge chute mounted on said projecting portion of said sample tube underneath a sample discharge opening therein, and a downwardly extending and discharging clean-out chute mounted on the end of said sample-support tube opposite said projecting portion, said portion of said sample-support tube within a hopper, conduit or pipe having at least one sample entry opening in the upper side thereof.
 2. In combination with a hopper, conduit or pipe adapted to have particulate material flow therethrough, sampling apparatus, comprising: a sample-support tube extending generally horizontally through aligned openings in said hopper, conduit or pipe with at least one end projecting a substantial distance on the outside thereof, said sample-support tube having at least one sample entry opening in its upstream side through which to receive and collect samples of materials flowing through said hopper, conduit or pipe, having a sample discharge opening in the downstream side of said one projecting end for sample discharge and having a clean-out opening disposed axially from that end of said sample inlet opening that is opposite said sample discharge opening; a piston axially reciprocable in said sample-support tube between the outer extremity of said sample discharge opening and said clean-out opening; and, actuating means for reciprocating said piston so that during its stroke in one direction it expels through said clean-out opening material that has accummulated within said sample-support tube and during its stroke in the opposite direction withdraws a sample of material collected through said sample inlet opening and expels the sample through said sample discharge opening; said sample-support tube providing the mounting support for said apparatus.
 3. In the combination called for in claim 2, a sample discharge chute fixed to said one projecting end of said sample-support tube so as to communicate with said sample discharge opening and a clean-out chute attached to said sample-support tube on the outside of said conduit so as to communicate with said clean-out opening.
 4. In the combination as called for in claim 3 said sample discharge chute and said clean-out chute each engaging or being juxtaposed to the exterior of said hopper, conduit or pipe adjacent one of said aligned openings thereby preventing substantial axial shifting of said sample-support tube.
 5. In the combination called for in claim 2 said sample inlet opening and said sample discharge opening being elongated slots in said sample tube and axially aligned therewith and said clean-out opening being one end of said sample-support tube.
 6. In combination with a hopper, conduit or pipe adapted to have particulate material flow therethrough, sampling apparatus, comprising: a sample-support tube extending generally horizontally through an opening in thE side of said hopper, conduit or pipe so as to have an internally projecting portion and an externally projecting portion, at least one sample entry opening in the top of said internally projecting portion, a sample discharge opening in the underside of said externally projecting portion, and a clean-out opening at the inner end of said internally projecting portion; a piston axially reciprocable in said sample-support tube between the outer extremity of said sample discharge opening and said clean-out opening; a sample discharge chute mounted on and underneath said sample-support tube in registry with said sample discharge opening; a downwardly extending and opening clean-out chute mounted on said sample-support tube at said clean-out opening; and, actuating means for reciprocating said piston so that during its stroke in one direction it expels through said clean-out opening material that has accummulated within said sample-support tube and during its stroke in the opposite direction withdraws a sample of material collected through said sample inlet opening and expels the sample through said sample discharge opening.
 7. In the combination called for in claim 4 said clean-out chute having on its lower end a side connection which projects through an opening in said hopper, conduit or pipe so as to return clean-out material into said hopper, conduit or pipe. 